Music Department Faculty in the National Spotlight

Published: September 24, 2010 |
Category: Arts

The accomplishments of two members of SUU’s Department of Music have recently received national attention. Dr. Keith Bradshaw, Chair, is pleased to announce that Dr. Lynn Vartan, percussion, and Sara Guttenberg, voice instructor, have both been uniquely lauded for their performances in the field of classical music.

When the nominees for the 11th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards were announced this month, contenders in the Best Classical Album category included William Kraft: Encounters performed by the Southwest Chamber Music and Tambuco Percussion Ensemble. Dr. Lynn Vartan is among the featured performers on this nominated recording. The winners will be announced on November 11, 2010, at the awards presentation to be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and broadcast on the Univision Network.

A member of Miami’s acclaimed professional chamber choir, Seraphic Fire, Sara Guttenberg is heard on the choir’s new self-released recording of Monteverdi’s Vespers. The recording jumped up onto iTunes’ classical charts and, through word of mouth, rose to the #6 most popular classical album. However that all changed when the recording was featured on National Public Radio’s program “All Things Considered.” Within a few hours of the broadcast, the recording topped the classical charts on iTunes at #1!

These nationally recognized accomplishments of Dr. Lynn Vartan and Sara Guttenberg are a source of pride for the faculty, staff and students of SUU’s College of Performing and Visual Arts as well as the overall campus community.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE The Southern Utah University College of Performing and Visual Arts is comprised of nationally accredited departments of Art and Design, Music, Theatre Arts and Dance, as well as a graduate program in Arts Administration. The College offers 16 different degree areas, including liberal arts Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees; professional Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts in art and theatre degrees; and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration degree. More than 60 full- and part-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 550 majors in the College. Over 1100 students enroll each year in over 195 arts classes on the SUU campus. The College presents 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year. The College’s affiliate organizations include the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, American Folk Ballet, Utah Shakespearean Festival, the performance group Acclamation, and the SUU Ballroom Dance Company.